Stroud extended their unbeaten run and gained another five points to stay top of the table, with a 45-26 win over Gordano, writes Sean Moore.

The pack was dominant throughout and, despite several changes, remained organised and resourceful.

The opening score was a try by Kurtis Herbert who latched onto a typical Dan Gordon pass to speed over wide out.

Gordano took up the challenge and only stout defensive work by Jake Marsh and Joe Ashenford kept them out. They did eventually score however, to gain the lead, 7-5.

Stroud responded well and it was Dan Gordon who regained the lead when he took a quick penalty and strolled over under the posts without a finger being laid on him. Herbert converted to make it 7-12. Cory Baker, playing at flanker, was having an excellent game, being very secure under high balls and setting up rucks.

Further pressure from Stroud saw Marsh make a long run upfield and this led to the ball being shipped out to Jordan Phipps who outstripped the cover to go over in the corner. Herbert converted for 7-19.

Stroud were now in full attacking mode and a typically long, elusive run by Hendry almost saw him to the line but the supporting Joe Hoyle accepted the pass to go over under the posts.

Strong driving play by the pack gradually wore down the opposition and, from a maul on halfway, Stroud went blind and the returning honeymooner Sam Leworthy latched onto the final pass and scored in the corner to extend the lead to 7-33.

After the break Gordon used the favourable breeze to gain excellent territory with his long, raking kicks. From a lineout close to the Gordano line, Bashford won the ball and it was fed out to the threes.

Herbert split the defence with his strong, straight running to go over under the posts. Play then became somewhat disjointed due to the many substitutions and Gordano came back into the game.

Their resurgence led to two converted tries to reduce the arrears to 21-40. Stroud sensed a potential banana skin and got a grip of the game, and following a strong break by Jake Marsh, Leworthy was able to score another try, 21-45.

Coach Stuart Cale got a close up view of his charges when he was pressed to come off the bench for the final quarter and what he saw must have pleased him. Next week Stroud will need to be firing on all cylinders when Matson are the visitors.